Pre-Planning Checklist

There’s a lot that goes into planning a funeral, but making those arrangements beforehand gives you time to consider all of your options and make sure that you’re covering all of the necessary details. The following checklist will help you to make sure you’ve thought of everything when you begin creating your personalized plan.

Ways in which you can plan ahead:

Make note of any special instructions you desire for your services and final disposition

Funeral Service

Choose burial or cremation

Select a casket or cremation container

Choose the location and type of service

Decide whether you’d like to have a viewing or visitation

Choose a floral arrangement

Select which photographs and memorabilia you’d like to display

Consider any customs, traditions, or religious rites that are important to you and your family

Choose the clothing you’d like to be dressed in

Select music and hymns, if desired

Select a style for your stationery and memorial register book

Arrange transportation for your physical remains and your family

Brainstorm any additional ways you’d like to personalize the services or pay tribute to your accomplishments, hobbies, personality, and life story.

Participants

Choose a clergy member or officiator to preside over the service

Select any musicians whose talents you’d like to employ

Select pallbearers

Choose friends or family members to perform the eulogy, read scripture, or prepare a speech

Cemetery

Choose a cemetery

Select a burial or cremation plot, or a mausoleum, if appropriate

Decide between above- and below-ground burial

Select a memorial or grave marker and inscription

Remember that there’s no need to make all of the decisions right away, and that the purpose of pre-planning is to allow yourself to take the time you need when considering your options and making the choices that are right for you. For personalized assistance in creating your plan, consult one of our experts by contacting us to schedule a one-on-one meeting.